There are over 2,416,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, around the world and over 3,882,002 have been tested in the United States. The global total number of deaths stands at 166,066. Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has been keeping up-to-date information through an interactive map.
Virginia now has 8,537 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,422 people hospitalized, 277 deaths and 54,733 people tested. Fairfax has the highest total number of cases, with 1,809 to date. Arlington has reported 475, Alexandria has 383, Loudoun County has 425 and Prince William County has 860 (including Manassas and Manassas City). You can keep up with the commonwealth’s daily updates here. (Virginia Department of Health)
Local
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the DMV on Monday reached 24,200. Maryland has the most cases with 12,836, followed by Virginia with 8,537 and Washington, DC with 2,797. The death toll has reached a total of 930, with 554 in Maryland, 277 in Virginia and 96 in DC. (The Washington Post)
Local
Sunday’s reports tallied up a total of 1,133 new cases and 39 new deaths between Virginia, Maryland and the nation’s capital, which was lower than Saturday’s reports. Local leaders (including Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser) have said they must see a consistent, two-week decline in cases before considering easing restrictions. (The Washington Post)
Local
To account for the possibility of a surge of COVID-19 cases, Novant Health UVA Health system is moving some patients between two hospitals, Prince William Medical Center in Manassas and Haymarket Medical Center. Both hospitals currently have expanded ICU capacity, triage tents outside to account for testing and evaluation, and the system’s overall goal is to continue to balance capacity at both hospitals as much as possible. (Inside NoVA)
Local
Due to stay-at-home orders dropping WMATA ridership significantly, the company now has scheduled meetings to consider a multi-week shutdown of the Wiehle-Reston East station on the Silver Line for necessary testing through the upcoming Dulles International Airport station. WMATA was originally going to shut down the Wiehle-Reston East station for 15 to 16 weekends, but with daily ridership as low as 300 people, the organization is moving to speed up the process and take advantage of the opportunity during the pandemic. (Inside NoVA)
Regional
Over the weekend, defying stay-at-home orders in both states, Richmond, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland, saw crowded protests from civilians who are demanding the states to reopen. But according to a recent report by The Washington Post, business and labor leaders in the Washington region are adamant that scientists should have the biggest say in deciding when to reopen the states (and territory) and their economies. (The Washington Post)
Regional
DC drivers might be noticing more Emergency “No Parking” signs near restaurants and hospitals around the city in recent days. The director of the District Department of Transportation Jeff Marootian says the agency is working with local businesses, hospitals and organizations to best suit their needs during the pandemic, aiming to create more space for food deliveries and easy access to hospitals for health care workers and visitors. So far, five hospitals have received specialized parking and 150 restaurants. (WTOP)
Regional
DC has made plans with the Army Corps of Engineers and a design firm to turn the Walter E. Washington Convention Center into an alternative care facility that can house up to 1,500 COVID-19 patients. “The first phase of construction is scheduled to be delivered in early May with 500 beds becoming available for COVID-19 patients who do not require a ventilator or critical care. By the end of the month, another 1,000 beds will be available,” reports WTOP. (WTOP)
The spread of COVID-19 continues to impact the Northern Virginia region on a daily basis. If you’re looking for ways to stay entertained at home, check out our Things to Do page, and stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletters.